When I Was In Pithoragarh – Part 2

My host, who had arranged everything for me, had sent me a cab and I went off to Chandak Site. my plan was to go for Pashupatinath temple, coz from there I could get a magnificent view of Himalaya though it was it was dusky. Pithoragarh is an altitude of 4,567 ft from sea level and it’s like cup shape so weather stays almost pleasant here. This valley known as Soar Valley. Road for Chandak was very peaceful and beautiful. When I moved up city was looking pretty good from upward. 

Well temple had been closed by the time I reached there but the view of valley was superlative. Whole valley was looking gorgeous in dusky light. When I saw Himalaya, I got stunned for a while. Peak of Nanda Devi was bathing with sun rays and was giving awesome look.  After a while I keep my camera out and start taking pictures as much as I can in this short time.

Few minutes later everything plunged into dark and I decided to back. From here we went to a tea shop for a tea and also meet to shop keeper.  Some time earlier a cave came in existence which was in his field and my main purpose was to see that cave. When I reached his shop, he was bit buzy with his customers. When he got free he came to me with spoon full of honey. When I ate, I found it was like rubber and taste was absolutely different.

 I asked him – are you sure it is honey.

He said – yes its pure honey with wax, we don’t remove wax from it. Well no doubt it was very tasty and I experienced it first time.

I asked him about cave so he said – it is dark now so tomorrow afternoon I will take you there. He said, now if possible I can spend some time at Eco park.  I asked – What is this Eco park ?  He said – Park made for Eco tourism but it has no future coz nobody is here to take proper care of it. On my way back, I saw Eco park and went inside. I saw whole city flickering with the lights.

I took some pictures and then sit to watch stars, one of my favorite work. I stared at the sky, which was illuminating with millions and millions stars. I deeply engrossed by the moment. Everything was utterly still at that night. Though it was cold but I don’t wanted to miss this chance so kept on staring. Eventually driver came to me and said – Madam it's getting dark, we must go back now. Though I needed to stay there but unwillingly, I had to back. By the time I reached into city, it was late and whole market had closed. I back to hotel and order for dinner… Next morning my plan was to go to Bhatkot for a walk coz Bhatkot is also a good place to see Himalaya in Morning time.  After finishing dinner, I confined myself into bad…

I Woke up 5 O’clock next morning and got ready for a walk. When I came out, it was dawn and streets are almost empty.  Only few people were on the road. Weather was cold but not chilled. I moved to Gandhi Chauraha and took market road. This road was tiny and whole market was in a grip of silence. After crossing market, I reached at Siltham Churaha. Here I asked for Bhatkot. When I entered in the road of Bhatkot, I felt very tranquil. Many people were walking on this road so I was not feeling lonely… 

I found that Pithoragarh has become completely a modern city now. There was no sign of any old and traditional construction. All were new which atleast I don’t like. I met with a girl, who was going for tuition, she gave me a smiling look so I talked with her and asked -  How far Bhatkot is ? She said - After a short walk, I would be at Bhatkot. Well I just wanted to know that I am on right path… 

When I reached Bhatkot, I saw Himalaya but my bad luck that I couldn’t get sun rise. But still scenario was stunning and whole valley was bathing with morning light. I indulged with camera just then I heard a man shouting at a boy. When I enquired about it he said – this boy is taking liquor here and always bunks his school. When I scold him, he shouted at me and said – I will see you… Man was irritating badly and went off from there. After this hot-hot talks, atmosphere again became calm and I again got indulged with camera…

Now sun was bright so I decided to back. I felt that this area was posh area of city. I saw all high-class officers' houses here and place was neat and clean instead of other part of city. I really enjoyed walk. When I back to market, it was chaotic.  People were buzy in their work and whole place was bustling with lots activities. In this hustle-bustle I got confused and took other road.  Though I reached at hotel but this time, I couldn’t see Gandhi Churaha…

Continue… 

When I was in Pithoragarh – Part 1

This time my nomadness brought me to Pithoragarh.  Though, I got some opportunities earlier but my busy schedule was not allowing me to go there. This time again I got chance and I was pretty sure to cash this, so I made all the arrangements and pack my bag to go…

It was the morning of   5^th November 2010 when I moved to bus stand. Though I was on time but when I reached there, bus was relatively packed. With some disappointment first thought swift in my mind was, that this time again I will have to cancel my plan but next I thought, I will go by the same bus and arranged a seat on the bus-bonnet. Seat was uncomfortable but front view was wide and clear so I was not that much unhappy. Sometime later bus started and within 30 minutes, it stopped at Bhowali, A small fruit market.  Lots of passengers shuffled in and out but bus was still jam-packed. After little halt, bus came to a life and set off to Almora. It was winter and I was almost shivering...

This route is known for me but this time it was badly damaged by last years' heavy rain, which was like disaster. Signs of disaster still could see on the road. I saw damaged road, damaged bank of Kosi River, damaged house, damaged shops and even I saw some damaged vehicles also. It was heart breaking. Road was nowhere, only the heap of yellow dust could be seen. I tried to take pictures from my mobile but the heavy jerks shake my hand.  Around 10 AM I was at Almora.

Here I got a seat and settled down there. A middle-aged man sitting next to me. His mouth was badly smelting with tobacco. My back was in little pain so I leaned back to my seat and was waiting bus to move. I was happy with my silence but the man started conversation…

Are you going to Pithoragarh ?

Yes – as I am horrible to speak much so I was replying short.

Are you media person, I saw you were taking pictures all the way ?

Yes.

Going Pithoragarh for some reporting work ?

Yes – Now the man was irritating me.

Suddenly he starts talking with passengers who were searching for seats. I found him a sort of chatty person. Most of the passengers were busy in sipping tea and gossiping. Mostly were speaking in their regional dialect (Kumauni).  Around 15 minutes later bus started but stopped again. Driver tried again but it couldn’t start. He tried over and over again but nothing happened, then he said – bus ko dhakka marana parega (Need to push the bus). Some passenger went off and pushed but bus was still jam. Driver saw that some little more enthusiast passengers were pushing the bus from front to back and other were pushing it from back to front. Driver shouted – push it from backside only. Well after some more pushes fortunately bus start again…

Bus was still bustling with passengers. Seat I got was not good coz nothing could see from here and the man next to me was talking continuously, though he was quite decent person. He starts talking about Pithoragarh and wanted to know, why I am going there ? Condition of road was still not good.  I did try to look out but not able to watch anything. I wished I could sit on the bonnet-seat again but it has engaged…

Now the weather was getting hot and passengers were busy in gossiping. Some little children was crying on their mothers’ lap and man sitting next to me was giving me lots of instructions and information about Pithoragarh. When Himalaya range start appearing, he told me – see this is Himalaya… I thought next time he might tell me see, this is cow, dog and labla labla la... Well after crossing small villages like Dhoulchhena, Bhikiyasen we reached at Panuwanaula, where I got front seat again. Thank god now I can see proper view and also got rid of the persons’ tobacco smell. 

Its bright day and I looked out from window, watching Small villages, town, Small shops, terrace fields were passing… Rang of Himalaya were very clear. Here I noticed most of the men wore long shirt and payjama and women wore sari with different style. Around 12 O'clock bus reached at Danya, Small town with some Dhabas (Restaurant). Bus stopped here for lunch.  When I was planning for Pithoragarh, one of my friend told me that Aloo Paratha is specialty of this place so I had already decided to take Aloo Paratha for lunch.  I went in a restaurant and ordered for paratha.  A lady and her husband was running this restaurant. After a while, paratha was on my table but when I ate, I got disappointed coz parathas were not that good as I was told about. After finishing food, I back to my seat… After little more time bus starts again and thankfully this time without any push…

We headed forward now.  I still could see the badly damaged things by the last year rain. I came to know that village called Dyaoli badly destroyed by the rain and the numbers of casualties were highest here. As bus was still jam-packed but the driver was still stopping for every passenger. Conductor got mad on him and shouted – why the hell are you stopping bus everywhere, Can’t you see there is no space for anybody ?  just run the bus coz I have to reach Pithoragarh on time . Driver replied with double voice – I will stop for every passenger coz this is the only bus for them, if I would not stop, their whole day will be spoil and most of them have to walk kilometers for way back to their home.  he was still murmuring – I am on time and will be Pithoragarh on time, don’t know why he always shout like this… after this sort of world war third driver slowed down the bus speed… I was favoring him coz his logic was right though me to wanna reach Pithoragarh on time.

Now a Dholiganga river has start following us. Some electric power projects were running on the river. From here, view became very pleasant. Large and green field were making journey little easy. Around 3 PM we reached at Ghaat and still almost 1 hour drive left from here but don’t know when driver is planning to reach coz he was still in anger and murmuring also… Bus was on bridge now and crossing the Ghaat.  River was leaving behind and we were going up and up and up from the river…

Bus again stop in a small town and when it start, conductor asked one passenger – where is the passenger sitting next to you ?

Passenger replied – His Sikkim Brand has broken so he went off to buy another one…

Sikkim Brand, name stuck in my mind and I thought it must be a famous brand of this region so I will buy one for me from Pithoragarh but latter in Pithoragarh when I enquired about Sikkim Brand, I came to know that it’s a brand of local liquor… As I heard this sort of brand first time so I laughed on my stupidity and stooped the idea to buy Sikkim Brand… Well by 3.30 we reached at Gurna.  

Bus stopped in front of a temple. I was told that – Once upon time when it was complete jungle many accidents used to happen here and people had a threat for this route. One day a local person dreamed about temple and he made a goddess Gurnas' temple. It says after the temple construction, this place saved from any type of accidents. Since then every vehicle stops here for a while.   

 Eventually bus reached at Pithoragarh but just 1 hour late… Its 4.30 now and I moved straight to hotel where I had my bookings already. First glimpse of Pithoragarh was not very good like all Indian cities but I was hoping for good time. Well my hotel was good enough to welcome me in a new place.  Temperature was batter so after freshen up I took coffee and decided to go out to explore the city…

Continue…

When I was in Corbett Museum & Corbett Fall

That Small Corbett Fall trip of mine was few year back. We planned this trip unexpectedly and for me this type of trips always becomes very memorable.

It was Sunday morning when one of my friend call me and said - Vini, it's has been a long time when we go out. Can we go for a day out  ?  Firstly, I could not think where we can go but Next, I got the idea of Corbett Fall.

Morning 9 O'clock we set off for the Corbett Fall. We took a Kaladhungi road for the Corbett Fall. This route is enormously stunning. From the upper side of road one can see an awesome view of this valley.

On the way, we come across with Khurpatal Lake, which was once very eminent for angling. Still a very beautiful fishes are in this lake. It says form upward the lake looks like cow's Khur and so it becomes a khurpatala. We cross the lake and headed forward. In short distance, we saw a small waterfall, which is a main attraction point for tourist. It is a monsoon waterfall so this time it was not looking that attractive.

After 2 hours, we were at Corbett museum. Once upon it was winter residence of Jim Corbett.  Now it has been converted in to the museum. Inside this, everything that belongs to the Jim was carefully intact. Even the chair and table, made by Jim, was also intact. Many documents and pictures are also here which shows the life of Jim. Corbett's dog graveyard, who used to go with him in his hunting, is also here.

 We spent a good time in this museum and then set off for the Corbett Fall. From here, we have to trek. This trek trail goes between dense Jungle. We were enjoying trek with different sort of vegetation and of course with chirping of birds as well. No doubt, wonderful view of surrounding was awesome. No artificial disturbance was wiping out it's natural beauty. Small water streams can cross by wooden bridge, which was adding extra beauty.

We were going on this trail, and all of a sudden, we came across with the waterfall. The immensity of this waterfall amused us. It was so high and flowing in the middle of jungle, which was making it huger.  Before that, I had looked this into pictures only but now it was in front of my eyes.  Within few seconds, we were close to waterfall and get into a pool and played into the water almost an hour. After spending magical time in water pool, we decided to see fall from upper side but it was very slippery so dropped the idea and start trek back.

Here we felt the spell of nature, which can easily eradicate all the quandary and tensions with his magnetism. No doubt, we spend unforgettable day here with this miraculous waterfall.